How to Find and Embrace Your Passion in Life

August 19th, 2011 by Shaun Boyd

Sometimes people ask me how to find what they love to do. They explain how they don’t have a goal in life, and don’t know what to do about it. I point out what is often a hard truth: if you need to ask someone else what your life’s calling is, then you’re doing it wrong.

Nobody is going to be able to tell you what your passion or goal in life is — it’s for you to discover. That being said, if you have no clue what it is, you need to try out more new things so you find out what you enjoy.

Your passion is something that causes you to feel most alive when you’re doing it. It’s what you’d do forever if there was an eternity, or what you’d do for free if you were a multimillionaire. It’s something that you think about doing when you’re doing other, less enjoyable things.

For some people it’s really easy to identify, but for most people it’s extremely challenging. You’re spoiled for choice and you’re unsure why you can’t make one. Really you just have to open your mind to new experiences. Read the following “manifesto” and see if it motivates you:

This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often. If you don't like something, change it. If you don't like your job, quit. If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV. If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love. Stop over analyzing, life is simple. All emotions are beautiful. When you eat, appreciate every last bite. Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them. Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them so go out and start creating. Life is short. Live your dream and share your passion.

Still confused? You need to try new things in order to find out what you like and what you don’t. Experiment with different options, and it’ll help lead you to your life’s calling. Let me offer some suggestions:

Try learning an instrument. Do you hate this? Move on.

Try meeting up with a martial arts group. Do you hate this? Move on.

Try going to a surfing class. Do you hate this? Move on.

Try writing a fiction novel. Do you hate this? Move on.

Try attending a toastmasters group. Do you hate this? Move on.

Try buying a project car and rebuilding it. Do you hate this? Move on.

Try learning a programming language. Do you hate this? Move on.

Try building a simple robot. Do you hate this? Move on.

Try a cooking class. Do you hate this? Move on.

Try attending an improv class. Do you hate this? Move on.

Try an apprenticeship in a place that restores antique furniture. Do you hate this? Move on.

Try making a zero-budget movie. Do you hate this? Move on.

My point is that others telling you what their passion in life is won’t solve your own dilemma. You need to discover your passion on your own by experiencing life. If you’re not pursuing your passion in your daily life, then you’ve missed the point of life completely.

Find it, get great at it, and rule your passion.

Related Posts

Add to: Del.Icio.Us / Reddit / Digg / Stumble Upon / 4 Comments »

If you've found this website helpful, please click the PayPal button. You will be helping me pursue my dream career as a writer. Thanks for your support!

4 Responses to “How to Find and Embrace Your Passion in Life”

#1 Brock Blohm on 19, Aug, 2011 at 2:13 pm

Couldn’t agree more with that picture and your article. It’s unfortunate to see so many who are living life on a treadmill. Thy don’t appear to be enjoying life.

We need to determine our goals and passions in life – and set out to fulfill them! Deep down, this is what will truly make us happy…

#2 jaideep on 20, Aug, 2011 at 1:29 pm

I think this article misses out on talent? I mean what if you think you love singing say after watching a u2 concert watching bono, but you have never sung before in your life, you have never sung even in front of your parents – is that your passion or is that a fantasy?

#3 Kate on 20, Aug, 2011 at 2:34 pm

I don’t know if I entirely agree with. I agree that if your hobby doesn’t make you happy you need to move on. But job wise I remember I hated being premed in college but I suffered through it and now I am a doctor and I am making lots of money doing something I love. So pretty much if I just dropped premed and did what I enjoyed ie shopping for louis vuitton bags and tried to make a job out of it, I would have been pretty screwed up.

#4 Ken Wert on 21, Aug, 2011 at 11:37 am

Well said, Shaun!

We knew we were not going to be able to afford both all the newest fashions and gadgets AND wonderful experiences for our daughter on a teacher’s salary, so we gave her experiences.

As a result, she’s traveled to China, Australia, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland as a student ambassador, had lessons in horseback riding, piano, guitar, voice, dance, drama, has been on swim, basketball, cross country teams and has had a bunch of other experiences camping and with girl scouts and the like.

Out of all that, she found her passion. She is currently a piano major at a very expensive university on a performance scholarship.

I would only caution that as we go out in search of our passion, don’t quit the class or effort too quickly. Sometimes it takes a little competence at the thing we are trying before we fall in love with it. Ability is a great attraction. Sometimes gaining a little bit of it is necessary before the love affair can begin.

Great article!

Leave a Reply


«
»